Connecticut Needs Choice In Dying Decision

Letter to the Editor

Both Maggie Karner and Brittany Maynard are dying from brain cancer [Oct. 12, op-ed, "Cancer May Kill Me, But I'll Not Kill Myself"]. The different choices these women have made about how they will die are the right choices for them.

Maggie Karner intends to endure her suffering until the end. Brittany Maynard moved to Oregon to have the option of using Oregon’s aid-in-dying law to end her suffering when she feels that her suffering has become unbearable.

Ms. Karner would have the state of Connecticut impose her beliefs and values on dying people who don’t share those beliefs and values. The state should stay out of our deathbeds. Connecticut needs aid-in-dying legislation to allow competent, dying adults an option to choose a peaceful and dignified death.